BNSF announces furloughs and shop closures impacting 243 employees
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
Intermodal continues to show strength.
David C. Lester
BNSF this week announced the furlough of 28 workers in the Topeka, Kan. mechanical department, and the closure of maintenance facilities in Glendive, Montana and Donkey Creek and Guernsey, Wyoming. The closure of maintenance facilities will impact 215 workers in addition to the Topeka workers, for a total of 243 employees. BNSF spokesperson Andy Williams noted that these moves are in response “to our customer’s changing business conditions and projected lower demand for rail cars to ship commodities.”
Williams went on to say that “Impacted Employees have been notified and we’re working to connect them with available resources. We are also offering the option to potentially transfer to a number of open positions at other locations in our network. Employees accepting a job in other locations will receive a relocation package to assist with the move. Some impacted employees can exercise their seniority for these jobs as part of their collective bargaining agreements.”
BNSF also noted that the Donkey Creek shop will close on June 5, 2020 and the shops at Glendive and Guernsey will close on July 7, 2020.
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